Japan Cup hero Indigenous will go for the $7 million Group Two Hong Kong Vase, where he will clash with Melbourne Cup winner Rogan Josh.
The decision announced shortly after the Tokyo race by trainer Ivan Allan effectively consigns the $10 million Group One Hong Kong Cup, last leg of the Emirates World Series Racing Championship, to also-ran status on December 12.
'You must make decisions which are in the best interests of the horse and the owner and the 2,400 metres of the Vase is what Indigenous requires,' said Allan.
'The race is only two weeks away and we have to get him back to Hong Kong and over all this. It would be unwise to attempt to bring him back to 2,000 metres simply because it is the Hong Kong Cup.' The clash between Indigenous and Rogan Josh alone lifts the Vase to top billing on the big day, not least because the Melbourne Cup hero is thriving.
Bill Charles, racing manager to legendary Melbourne trainer Bart Cummings, said: 'We saw the race on television and Indigenous ran exceptionally well. Good luck to him, but we are extremely happy with the way Rogan Josh went in a special between-races gallop yesterday.' The Vase had looked the most attractive of the four international events and the decision to let Indigenous defend the crown he won last year ensures it stays that way.
But just how the field stands up will depend on how the Hong Kong-bound trio of horses come out of the Japan Cup.
